Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
198 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision can be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and the time it will take to reach a decision. [14807/04]
View answerUnder the Refugee Act 1996 two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications and appeals for refugee status and to recommend if status should be granted to me. The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner considers applications for a declaration as a refugee and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal considers applications for a declaration at appeal stage.
A final decision will be made in the case upon receipt of the RAT's decision. The average length of time it takes to process and complete a substantive appeal, including an oral hearing, is approximately 16 weeks. It continuously strives to reduce the timeframe in order to reach applicants in need of international protection as quickly as possible. Faster timeframes apply in the case of appeals that do not involve an oral hearing.
